Integration of home entertainment devices with a software client for telephony

ABSTRACT

A communication system including a communication network, an entertainment device connected to the communication network, and an application server connected to the communication network. The entertainment device has a software client adapted to provide real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and a telephony device connected to the communication network. The application server is adapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and the telephony device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the use of home entertainmentdevices to provide telephony services, in particular, but not by way oflimitation, to the integration of a home entertainment device with asoftware client in order to provide real time two-way communicationservices.

The availability of broadband communication networks has proliferatedgreatly in recent years. Consumers may currently choose from a varietyof broadband providers including cable companies, telephone companies,satellite broadband providers, and DSL providers. Due to the increasingavailability of broadband communication infrastructures, it has becomepossible to provide a greater number of entertainment and communicationservices to consumers. For example, Internet telephony and videoconferencing applications currently enjoy great popularity. In addition,there has been an increasing desire towards the integration ofentertainment and telephony services in the home. Thus, there exists aneed to provide the integration of broadcast communication with realtime two-way communications by enabling home entertainment devices withthe capability of providing real time communications services.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a communication system including a communication network, anentertainment device connected to the communication network, and anapplication server connected to the communication network. Theentertainment device has a software client adapted to provide real timetwo-way communication between the entertainment device and a telephonydevice connected to the communication network. The application server isadapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the realtime two-way communication between the entertainment device and thetelephony device.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there isprovided an entertainment device having a first connection, the firstconnection being adapted to connect the entertainment device to acommunication network, a microprocessor, and a memory adapted to store asoftware client for execution by the microprocessor. The software clientis adapted to provide real time two-way communication between theentertainment device and a telephony device connected to thecommunication network, and communicate with an application serverconnected to the communication network. The application server isadapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the realtime two-way communication between the entertainment device and thetelephony device.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided an application server having a first connectionadapted to connect the application server to a communication network.The application server is adapted to communicate with a software clientassociated with an entertainment device and facilitate real time two-waycommunication between the entertainment device and a telephony device.The entertainment device is connected to the communication network, andthe software client associated with the entertainment device is adaptedto provide real time two-way communication between the entertainmentdevice and a telephony device connected to the communication network.

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and the scopethereof can be obtained from the accompanying drawings which are brieflysummarized below, the following detailed description of thepresently-preferred embodiments of the invention, and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the presentinvention may be obtained by reference to the following DetailedDescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a telecommunication system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the telecommunicationsystem of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the telecommunicationsystem of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be constructed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a telecommunication system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Thetelecommunication system includes an application server 10 connected toa communication network 12. Examples of the communication network 12that can be used in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention include, for example, the Internet, a cable network,ISDN, a DSL network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a localarea network, a combination of networks, etc. The communication network12 is further connected to an entertainment device 16 in a customerpremises 18 via a communication network link 14, such as, for example, acable connection, a DSL connection, other types of broadbandconnections, a satellite connection, a public switched telephone network(PSTN) connection, etc. Examples of the entertainment device 16 that canbe used with at least one embodiment of the present invention mayinclude, for example, a set-top box, an entertainment console, anInternet appliance, and other types of networking capable entertainmentdevices. The entertainment device 16 further has an associated networkidentifier that enables the entertainment device 16 to be addressablefrom the communication network 12 so that it may send data to andreceive data from devices connected to the communication network 12.

The entertainment device 16 is further connected to a video monitor 20for displaying video output signals from the entertainment device 16.Examples of the video monitor 20 that can be used with at least oneembodiment of the present invention might include, for example, atelevision or a computer monitor. In addition, although not required,the video monitor 20 may further be provided with speakers to reproducean audio output signal from the entertainment device 16. In at least oneembodiment of the present invention, the entertainment device 16 may beprovided with an integral display screen instead of, or in addition to,the video monitor 20. The entertainment device 16 is further connectedto at least one input/output peripheral 22 to allow a user to interactwith the entertainment device 16. Examples of the at least oneinput/output peripheral that can be used with at least one embodiment ofthe present invention might include a microphone, speakers, headphones,a keyboard, a video camera, a still camera, a controller, etc. In atleast one embodiment of the present invention, the entertainment device16 may be provided with a connection for attachment of telephonyequipment such as a telephone.

The entertainment device 16 includes a software client 24, that whenexecuted on a microprocessor in the entertainment device 16, enables theentertainment device 16 under control of the application server 10, toprovide telephony, video conferencing, and other real time two-waycommunication services to a user using at least one of the video monitor20 and the at least one input/output peripheral 22. In at least oneembodiment of the present invention, the software client 24 may beprovided to the entertainment device 16 by being downloaded from theapplication server 10 or another server connected to the communicationnetwork 12. In at least one other embodiment of the present invention,the software client 24 may be built into firmware memory in theentertainment device 16, or loaded into a memory of the entertainmentdevice 16 by a user, such as, for example, by inserting an applicationdisc containing the software client 24 into the entertainment device 16.Examples of functions of the entertainment device 16 that may be enabledby the software client 24 include software phones to enable telephonyand video conferencing applications to enable video conferencing andcollaboration. Updates to the software client 24 may be provided by theapplication server 10 or from another server connected to thecommunication network 12.

The application server 10 is further capable of communicating contact,control, video, and audio information in real time to allow theinitiation of two-way communications between a user of the entertainmentdevice 16 and another party. In an example call in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, a caller using a telephony device26 connected to the communication network 12 that wishes to communicatewith a user of the entertainment device 16 dials a number associatedwith the entertainment device 16. The outgoing call is routed by thecommunication network 12 to the application server 10, which thencommunicates with the software client 24 to alert the user of theentertainment device 16 that an incoming call exists. Upon the useranswering the incoming call, the software client 24 communicates to theapplication server 10 that the call has been answered. In response, theapplication server 10 facilitates the establishment of the two-waycommunication between the caller using the telephony device 26 and theuser of the entertainment device 16. In another example call inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user of theentertainment device 16 may place an outgoing call to a called partyconnected to the communication network 12. In this case, the outgoingcall is routed to the application server 10 before being placed to thecalled party.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the entertainmentdevice 16 may be provided with a memory buffer, for example, solid-statememory or at least one hard disk, for the temporary storage of receivedtwo-way communication or entertainment information. Through use of thememory buffer, the entertainment device 16 may be provided with thecapability of temporary interrupting the presentation of entertainmentinformation to a user of the entertainment device 16 in order to receivean incoming call or place an outgoing call. During the duration of thecall, entertainment information received by the entertainment device 16may be temporarily stored in the memory buffer. Upon completion of thecall, the entertainment device 16 may then resume presentation of theentertainment information to the user at the point at which it wasinterrupted. For example, in an exemplary embodiment in which theentertainment device 16 comprises a set-top box, a user viewing atelevision program or movie using the set-top box may be alerted to anincoming call. Upon answering the call by the user, the entertainmentdevice 16 begins storing the television program or movie in the memorybuffer. Upon completion of the call, the user may continue viewing thetelevision program or movie at the point of interruption.

Alternately, if the user does not wish to have the presentation of theentertainment information interrupted by an incoming call, the memorybuffer may provide for storage of information related to the incomingcall, such as for example, a voice mail or caller identificationinformation. A determination regarding whether the two-way communicationor entertainment information is presented to the user may be made basedupon assigning an application priority level to particular two-waycommunication or entertainment applications. For example, if a userdesires that a particular entertainment presentation not be interruptedby an incoming call, the entertainment presentation can be assigned ahigher priority level by the user than an incoming call. In addition, auser may assign different priority levels to individual callers. Forexample, a user may desire that an incoming call from a particular useralways interrupts an entertainment presentation, while incoming callsfrom other callers are directed to a voice mail box.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of thetelecommunication system of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In thetelecommunication system illustrated in FIG. 2 the entertainment device16 further comprises a set-top box 30. The telecommunication systemincludes an application server 10 connected to the Internet 32. However,it should be understood that other embodiment of the present inventionmay make use of other types of communication networks, such as, forexample, cable networks, ISDN, DSL networks, a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN), local area networks, etc. A cable headend is furtherconnected between the Internet 32 and a cable network interface 36 in acustomer premises 18 to supply television programming and networkconnectivity to the set-top box 30 via a cable network 35. The cablenetwork interface 36 may also be connected to a cable modem 37 toprovide cable network connectivity to a connected computer 39.

The set-top box 30 is further connected to a video monitor 20 fordisplaying video output signals from the set-top box 30. Examples of thevideo monitor 20 that can be used with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention might include, for example, a television or a computermonitor. In addition, although not required, the video monitor 20 mayfurther be provided with speakers to reproduce an audio output signalfrom the set-top box 30. The set-top box 30 may be further connected toat least one input/output peripheral such as, or example, a microphone38, speakers 40, headphones, a keyboard, a video camera, a still camera,etc to allow a user to interact with the set-top box 30 in order toperform two-way communication functions.

The set-top box 30 further includes a software client 24, that whenexecuted on a microprocessor in the set-top box 30, enables the set-topbox 30 under control of the application server 10 to provide telephony,video conferencing, and other real time two-way communication servicesto a user using at least one of the video monitor 20, the microphone 39,the speakers 40, or any other associated peripheral devices. In at leastone embodiment of the present invention the software client may beprovided to the set-top box 30 by being downloaded from the applicationserver 10, another server connected to the Internet 32, or a serverconnected to the cable network 35. Examples of functions of the set-topbox 30 that may be enabled by the software client 24 include softwarephones to enable telephony, and video conferencing applications toenable video conferencing and collaboration. Updates to the softwareclient 24 may be provided either by the application server 10, anotherserver connected to the Internet 32, or a server connected to the cablenetwork 35.

The application server 10 is further capable of communicating contact,control, video, and audio information in real time to allow theinitiation of two-way communications between a user of the set-top box30 and another party. In accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention the set-top box 30 may communicate with theapplication server 10 using a parallel data channel such that broadbandtwo-way communication and broadband video, such as that provided bycable television programming, use different communication channels inthe cable network 35. In an example call in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, a caller using a video telephonydevice 42 connected to the Internet 32 places a video conferencing callto a user of the set-top box 30. The outgoing call is routed to theapplication server 10 via the Internet 32, which then communicates withthe software client 24 to alert the user of the set-top box 30 that anincoming call exists. Upon the user answering the incoming call, thesoftware client 24 communicates to the application server 10 that thecall has been answered. In response, the application server 10facilitates the establishment of a two-way video conferencing sessionbetween the caller using the video telephony device 42 and the user ofthe set-top box 30.

In another example call in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, a caller using a telephone 44 connected to the Internet 32via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 46 and a gateway 48,places a telephone call to a user of the set-top box 30. The outgoingcall is routed to the application server 10, which then communicateswith the software client 24 to alert the user of the set-top box 30 thatan incoming call exists. Upon the user answering the incoming call, thesoftware client 24 communicates to the application server 10 that thecall has been answered. In response, the application server 10facilitates the establishment of a two-way telephone call between thecaller using the telephone 44 and the user of the set-top box 30. Inpresent example, the caller using the telephone 44 may use, for example,plain old telephone service (POTS) or voice over IP (VoIP) technologiesto conduct the call. In another example call in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, a user of the set-top box 30 mayplace an outgoing call to a called party connected to the Internet 32 oranother communication network such as a PSTN 46. In this case, theoutgoing call is routed to the application server 10 before being placedto the called party.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of thetelecommunication system of FIG. 1 is illustrated. In thetelecommunication system illustrated in FIG. 3 the entertainment device16 further comprises a networking capable entertainment console 50, suchas a video game console. The telecommunication system includes anapplication server 10 connected to the Internet 32. However, it shouldbe understood that other embodiment of the present invention may makeuse of other types of communication networks, such as, for example,cable networks, ISDN, DSL networks, a public switched telephone network(PSTN), local area networks, etc. A cable headend is further connectedbetween the Internet 32 and a cable network interface 36, such as forexample, a cable modem, in a customer premises 18 to supply televisionprogramming and network connectivity to a local area network (LAN)access point 58 via a cable network 35. The LAN access point 58functions to distribute network connectivity to at least one networkenable device in a local area network. It should be understood that inat least one embodiment of the present invention the LAN access point 58may include of a variety of network devices such as, for example, awireless access point, a router, an Ethernet hub, etc. The entertainmentconsole 50 is connected using, for example, a wired connection or awireless connection, to the LAN access point 58 to provide networkingaccess to the entertainment console 50 via the cable network 35.Additional devices such as a telephone 54 and a computer 56 may also beconnected to the LAN access point 58.

The entertainment console 50 is further connected to a video monitor 20for displaying video output signals from the entertainment console 50.Examples of the video monitor 20 that can be used with at least oneembodiment of the present invention might include, for example, atelevision or a computer monitor. In addition, although not required,the video monitor 20 may further be provided with speakers to reproducean audio output signal from the entertainment console 50. In at leastone embodiment of the present invention, the entertainment console 50may be provided with an integral display screen instead of, or inaddition to, the video monitor 20. The entertainment console 50 may befurther connected to at least one input/output peripheral including amicrophone 38, speakers 40, a controller 52, headphones, a keyboard, avideo camera, a still camera, etc to allow a user to interact with theentertainment console 50.

The entertainment console 50 further includes a software client 24, thatwhen executed on a microprocessor in the entertainment console 50,enables the entertainment console 50 under control of the applicationserver 10 to provide telephony, video conferencing, and other real timetwo-way communication services to a user using at least one of the videomonitor 20, the microphone 39, the speakers 40, or any other associatedperipheral devices. In at least one embodiment of the present inventionthe software client may be provided to the entertainment console 50 bybeing downloaded from the application server 10, another serverconnected to the Internet 32, or a server connected to the cable network35. In at least one other embodiment of the present invention, thesoftware client 24 may be built into firmware memory in theentertainment device 16, or loaded into a memory of the entertainmentconsole 50 by a user, such as, for example, by inserting a applicationdisc containing the software client 24 into the entertainment console50. Examples of functions of the entertainment console 50 that may beenabled by the software client 24 include software phones to enabletelephony, and video conferencing applications to enable videoconferencing. Updates to the software client 24 may be provided eitherby the application server 10, another server connected to the Internet32, or a server connected to the cable network 35.

The application server 10 is further capable of communicating contact,control, video, and audio information in real time to allow theinitiation of two-way communications between a user of the entertainmentconsole 50 and another party. In an example call in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, a caller using a video telephonydevice 42 connected to the Internet 32 places a video conferencing callto a user of the entertainment console 50. The outgoing call is routedto the application server 10, which then communicates with the softwareclient 24 to alert the user of the entertainment console 50 that anincoming call exists. Upon the user answering the incoming call, thesoftware client 24 communicates to the application server 10 that thecall has been answered. In response, the application server 10facilitates the establishment of a two-way video conferencing sessionbetween the caller using the video telephony device 42 and the user ofthe entertainment console 50.

In another example call in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, a caller using a telephone 44 connected to the Internet 32via a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 46 and a gateway 48,places a telephone call to a user of the entertainment console 50. Theoutgoing call is routed to the application server 10, which thencommunicates with the software client 24 to alert the user of theentertainment console 50 that an incoming call exists. Upon the useranswering the incoming call, the software client 24 communicates to theapplication server 10 that the call has been answered. In response, theapplication server 10 facilitates the establishment of a two-waytelephone call between the caller using the caller using the telephone44 and the user of the entertainment console 50. In another example callin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a user of theentertainment console 50 may place an outgoing call to a called partyconnected to the Internet 32 or another communication network such as aPSTN 46. In this case, the outgoing call is routed to the applicationserver 10 before being placed to the called party.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality ofentertainment devices as described in at least one of the embodiments ofthe invention may be used at a single customer premises. For example, aprimary entertainment device and one or more secondary entertainmentdevices having a subset of the features of the primary entertainmentdevice may be connected to a LAN and distributed throughout the customerpremises. The primary entertainment device may have the capability ofproviding, for example, both voice telephony and video conferencingcapability, while the secondary entertainment device may provide voicetelephony only. Alternately, the one or more secondary entertainmentdevices may be provided with the full capabilities of the primaryentertainment device.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a primaryentertainment device having an integrated wireless LAN hub may beconnected to the communication network, for example via a cable networkinterface, at the customer premises. One or more secondary entertainmentdevices having a wireless connection to the primary entertainment devicemay be distributed throughout the customer premises, and be providedwith access to the communication network through the wireless connectionto the primary entertainment device. The one or more secondaryentertainment devices may be provided with one of, some of, or all ofthe capabilities of the primary entertainment device

An advantage that is provided by at least one embodiment of the presentinvention is that it conveniently allows telephone, video conferencing,and other real time communication services to be used from a living roomof a customer premises. Another advantage that is provided by at leastone embodiment of the present invention is that it allows theintegration of telecommunication and televisions services for a user.

The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementingthe invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily belimited by this description. The scope of the present invention isinstead defined by the following claims.

1. A communication system for use with a communication network,comprising: a primary entertainment device connected to thecommunication network, the primary entertainment device having asoftware client configured to provide two-way communication between theprimary entertainment device and a telephony device connected to thecommunication network, wherein the software client is further configuredto interrupt and to store a current presentation of entertainmentinformation in a memory if the two-way communication between the primaryentertainment device and the telephony device is established and tostore information related to an incoming call in the memory if thepresentation of the entertainment information is not interrupted,wherein the primary entertainment device comprises an entertainmentconsole; an application server connected to the communication network,the application server configured to communicate with the softwareclient of the primary entertainment device and to facilitate the two-waycommunication between the primary entertainment device and the telephonydevice; and a secondary entertainment device in communication with theprimary entertainment device, wherein the primary entertainment devicefacilitates access by the secondary entertainment device to thetelephony device connected to the communication network through aconnection with the primary entertainment device, wherein the secondaryentertainment device comprises an entertainment console.
 2. Thecommunication system of claim 1 wherein the communication networkcomprises a digital subscriber line network.
 3. The communication systemof claim 1 wherein the primary entertainment device is connected to thecommunication network via a broadband connection.
 4. The communicationsystem of claim 1, wherein the primary entertainment device is connectedto the communication network via a cable network interface.
 5. Thecommunication system of claim 1 further comprising: a video monitorconnected to the primary entertainment device, the video monitorconfigured to display a video output signal from the primaryentertainment device.
 6. The communication system of claim 1 furthercomprising: a peripheral connected to the primary entertainment device,the peripheral configured to allow a user to interact with the primaryentertainment device.
 7. The communication system of claim 1, whereinthe two-way communication between the telephony device and the primaryentertainment device comprises video conferencing.
 8. The communicationsystem of claim 1, wherein the application server is further configuredto provide the software client of the primary entertainment device tothe primary entertainment device.
 9. The communication system of claim1, wherein the application server is further configured to communicatecontact information to the primary entertainment device.
 10. A primaryentertainment device comprising: a first connection, the firstconnection configured to connect the primary entertainment device to acommunication network; a microprocessor; a memory configured to store asoftware client for execution by the microprocessor, the software clientconfigured to: provide two-way communication between the primaryentertainment device and a telephony device connected to thecommunication network, communicate with an application server connectedto the communication network, the application server being configured tocommunicate with the software client and facilitate the two-waycommunication between the primary entertainment device and the telephonydevice, and interrupt and store a current presentation of entertainmentinformation in the memory if the two-way communication between theprimary entertainment device and the telephony device is established andstore information related to an incoming call in the memory if thepresentation of the entertainment information is not interrupted,wherein the primary entertainment device comprises an entertainmentconsole; and a second connection, the second connection configured toconnect the primary entertainment device to a secondary entertainmentdevice, wherein the primary entertainment device facilitates access bythe secondary entertainment device to the telephony device connected tothe communication network through the second connection with the primaryentertainment device, wherein the secondary entertainment devicecomprises an entertainment console.
 11. The primary entertainment deviceof claim 10, wherein the primary entertainment device is connected tothe communication network via a cable network interface.
 12. The primaryentertainment device of claim 10 further comprising: a third connection,the third connection configured to connect a video monitor to theprimary entertainment device, the video monitor configured to display avideo output signal from the primary entertainment device.
 13. Theprimary entertainment device of claim 10, wherein the primaryentertainment device is further configured to be connect to aperipheral, the peripheral configured to allow a user to interact withthe primary entertainment device.
 14. The primary entertainment deviceof claim 10, wherein the two-way communication comprises videoconferencing.
 15. The primary entertainment device of claim 10, whereinthe primary entertainment device is further configured to include anassociated network identifier that enables the primary entertainmentdevice to be addressable by a device connected to the communicationnetwork.
 16. An application server comprising: a first connection, thefirst connection configured to connect the application server to acommunication network, the application server configured to communicatewith a software client associated with a primary entertainment deviceand facilitate two-way communication between the primary entertainmentdevice and a telephony device connected to the communication network;and wherein the primary entertainment device is connected to thecommunication network, and the software client associated with theprimary entertainment device is configured to provide the two-waycommunication between the primary entertainment device and the telephonydevice, wherein the software client is further configured to interruptand to store a current presentation of entertainment information in amemory if the two-way communication between the primary entertainmentdevice and the telephony device is established and to store informationrelated to an incoming call in the memory if the presentation of theentertainment information is not interrupted, wherein the primaryentertainment device comprises an entertainment console; wherein theprimary entertainment device facilitates access by a secondaryentertainment device to the telephony device connected to thecommunication network through a connection with the primaryentertainment device, wherein the secondary entertainment devicecomprises an entertainment console.
 17. The application server of claim16, wherein the two-way communication comprises video conferencing. 18.The application server of claim 16, wherein the application server isfurther configured to provide the software client to the primaryentertainment device.
 19. The application server of claim 16, whereinthe application server is further configured to communicate contactinformation, the primary entertainment device.